Cincinnati, OH (SportsNetwork. New Balance Outlet España .com) - The Xavier Musketeers open Big East Conference play on New Years Eve, as they welcome the 25th-ranked Georgetown Hoyas to the Cintas Center. The Hoyas recently defeated the Indiana Hoosiers, 91-87, in overtime during the Indeed Invitational at Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon. The Hoyas now hold a record of 8-3, and find themselves among the nationally ranked for the first time this season. Xavier has played very well in December, as its gone 4-1, with its most recent game being a 71-57 victory over the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles on Sunday afternoon. The win improved the Musketeers record on the season to 9-3. This bout marks the ninth meeting between these two programs on the hardwood, with Xavier leading the series, 5-3. The teams split the season series in 2013-14, with Xavier winning at home in January (80-67), and Georgetown returning the favor at home in February (74-52). DVauntes Smith-Rivera finished with 29 points, four assists, and four steals in the Hoyas recent victory over Indiana at MSG. Other contributors in the win were reserve Aaron Bowen (22 points), Joshua Smith (14 points, six rebounds), and Jabril Trawick (12 points, seven rebounds). The Hoyas entered halftime down by 10 points, but had a strong second half, as they made 56.7 percent of their field goal tries, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range. In the overtime period, Georgetown went 5-of-7 from the field and limited the Hoosiers to just 2-of-7. The Hoyas forced 17 turnovers, which they converted into 20 points. Georgetown also dominated Indiana in points in the paint (54-26), and bench points (24-2). Smith-Rivera leads the Hoyas in scoring this season with an average of 14.7 ppg, the fifth-highest mark in the Big East Conference. Joshua Smith is also averaging double figures with 12.8 ppg, and he leads Georgetown in rebounding with 6.5 rpg. The Hoyas currently rank third in the Big East in scoring offense (75.1 ppg), and second in field goal percentage (.481). Georgetown is also holding opponents to a shooting percentage of .397, fourth-best in the league. The Hoyas are currently in the black in scoring margin (+9.5), rebounding margin (+4.9) and turnover margin (+1.27). Remy Abell (13 points), Dee Davis (12 points), and Matt Stainbrook (11 points, seven rebounds) all finished in double figures for Xavier in its recent win over Florida Gulf Coast. James Farr led the Musketeers in rebounding with nine, including five on the offensive glass. Xavier took a 43-29 lead into halftime after connecting on 50 percent of its field goal attempts in the opening 20 minutes, including a 5-of-9 mark from 3-point range. The Musketeers also held the Eagles to a shooting percentage of .370, and forced 16 turnovers, which they converted into 17 points. Xavier also had more points in the paint (36-24), and bench points (24-8) than did the Eagles. Trevon Bluiett (13.3 ppg), Stainbrook (13.0 ppg), and Abell (10.1 ppg) are all averaging double figures for the Musketeers this season. Stainbrook leads the team in rebounding with 7.3 rpg. Xavier currently paces the Big East in scoring offense (81 ppg), field goal percentage (.509), 3-point field goal percentage (.391), rebounding margin (+6.5), assists (218), and assists per game (18.2). The Musketeers are also ranked highly in scoring margins (third, +14.2), free throw percentage (fourth, .720), and turnover margin (fifth, +2.50). Where Xavier has struggled is on defense, as it is allowing opponents to score 67.6 ppg and connect on 43.8 percent of their field goal tries, both of which rank next-to-last in the Big East in their respective categories. Comprar New Balance Rebajas . - David Tomasek had two goals in regulation time and was the lone scorer in the shootout as the Belleville Bulls upset the Oshawa Generals 6-5 on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action. New Balance Ofertas España . The struggling New Orleans Pelicans were simply overmatched. Crawford hit seven 3s on his way to 24 points, and the Clippers beat the Pelicans 123-110 on Monday night. "We understand what we do well. If we all do what we do well, well make our team stronger," Crawford said. http://www.newbalancebaratas.es/ . - Josh Sterk scored twice to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 7-1 rout of the Ottawa 67s in Mondays Ontario Hockey League action.For those who believe the guys who throw the football decide all NFL games, keep an eye on the guys who try to get those passers on the ground.Quarterbacks sure need to be aware of the sackmasters, especially after a season-high 87 sacks were made last week.As the weather gets dicey and the pressure ratchets up in the stretch drive, the one job that comes into sharper focus is knocking down passers.Although the guys doing the sacking wont reach the NFL seasonal record of 1,313 set in 1984, theres an excellent chance the total, now at 967 according to STATS, will surpass anything since the 2000 season.Why? In great part because some of the best pass rushers in the league are heating up.Last weekend, Baltimores Elvis Dumervil had 3 1/2 sacks, the Jets Sheldon Richardson had three, and Houstons J.J. Watt, the most feared defender in the game, also had three, plus five quarterback hits.Look at the leaderboard for sacks and it reads like a whos who for NFL 2014: Dumervil and Kansas Citys Justin Houston tied at the top with 16; Watt at 14 1-2 despite having more attention paid to him than any lineman in the sport; Denvers Von Miller (13) and DeMarcus Ware (10); Buffalos Mario Williams (12); and last seasons NFC leader, the Rams Robert Quinn (10 1-2 after having none in his first five games).Throw in a few newer names such as Philadelphias Connor Barwin (13 1-2), Minnesota Everson Griffen (12) and Washingtons Ryan Kerrigan (11 1-2), and the operative words for quarterbacks — particularly immobile QBs — could be Watch Out!Dumervil, who has said he is in the best shape of his life at age 30, broke the team single-season record of 15 set by Peter Boulware in 2001, and is one short of his career high with Denver.Its like the stars are aligning, but the most special thing that could happen is we get into the playoffs, Dumervil said, certainly knowing that continued performances such as last week against Miami could get the Ravens (8-5) the AFC North title. The records been broken. I havent really dwelled on it too much or soaked it in. Weve still got three critical games left.More than anything, to have that record at the end of the year and make a deep run in the playoffs, thats the goal.Until Week 14, the most sacks occurred in Week 6 with 82. Surpassing the 87 of last week could be aaided in any of the next three weeks by slippery fields, injuries to teams offensive lines, and a slew of mediocre quarterbacks without the athletic skills or acumen to avoid being trapped. New Balance Baratas Outlet. Also bear in mind that a number of teams are on an upward spiral defensively, particularly the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks, the Broncos, Rams, Vikings, Lions, Patriots and the Bills, who lead the NFL with 48 sacks.The Bills defence is playing very well, Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. Definitely got talent all the way through. It definitely starts up front with their defensive line and their ability to stop the run and get after it with the pass rush. Were very impressed with what theyve done.One key to sacks success is having support for the main threat. What makes Watts numbers so impressive is that Houstons next-highest total is Whitney Mercilus with four. That means despite double- and even triple-team blocking, Watt gets where he wants to go.With many other teams whose pass rush can make a difference in winning and losing, there is a lot more help than the Texans provide for their star.Denver has Ware and Miller. Baltimore has Dumervil and Terrell Suggs. Buffalo has Williams, Marcell Dareus and Jerry Hughes. Philly has Barwin and Vinny Curry.You cant pinpoint one guy and say stop him because we have so many guys, Eagles linebacker Brandon Graham said. He has 5 1-2 sacks, fourth on the team; veteran Trent Cole has 6 1-2. We all want to get there and get the sack, but as long as somebody does, thats what counts.Anyone who questions the value and importance of a strong pass rush late in a season need only recall the 2011 and, to an even greater extent, 2007 Giants. The one equalizer they had in facing the powerful Patriots offence in two Super Bowls was the sack.Tom Brady at times looked like a rag doll as the likes of Michael Strahan, Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul bothered him and New Englands blockers. Without the time to find his targets — and remember, Brady had quite a collection of receivers in Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez — Brady became rather pedestrian.Thats just what the sackmasters hope to do over the next three weeks to any and all passers.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '